Bilstein steering stabilizer

[KJcachers]

Originally Posted by vwexpert

I believe all the Fords need an alignment after 3000 miles. They also need an aftermarket kit to get the caster into specs.

Aftermarket kit? Available from Ford or elsewhere? Who would install it? The ford dealer when doing the alignment?

[vwexpert]

Sage...bring it up here...I have all the tools to do it. The hardest part was figuring out what tools would work. My friend installed HD front and really hates them on his Sunseeker 3010. He said it made his ride harsh. He owns a local tire / wheel place. He also runs real low air pressure in tires for a smoother / softer ride. Someday we'll have to take them out and compare our rides.

[vwexpert]

A good alignment shop knows about the bushing kit that needs to be installed.

[Sagecoachdriver]

KJcacher- As VWexpert mentioned, any good alignment shop will have the Ingalls or Moog adjustable caster/camber alignment kit. They can then use a chart and make the adjustments by the letters and or numbers on top of the elliptical cam.

Drove out to the dealer last Thursday and was not 100% happy with the drive, too much correcting.
At this point, I will most likely change the shocks to Bilsteins and check the ride. If still not where I want it, I will pay for a second alignment and use the forums posted specs of higher caster. Last option will be a Roadmaster Relex stabilizer.
VWexpert, thanks for the offer. But it would cost me $300+ in gas. Actually the fronts don't look that difficult. Haven't looked at the rears yet. If I pull the rear tires, I would also like to check air-ride connections at the bags. I have all the tools like jack, stands, impact wrench and compressor. I'm retired, lazy and not getting any younger.

[Boso]

Sage did FR pay for your alignment they did pay for mine but I ended up at alignment shop 3 times before I was Happy with at no more cost

[Sagecoachdriver]

Yes Boso they did pay for the first alignment. However, the shop only guarantees the alignment for 30 days and I'm way beyond that. Not sure I want to take it back to them.

[KJcachers]

How do you go about getting FR to pay for the alignment?

[Boso]

Call and talk to your warranty guy at FR if yours is new less than a year old

[Boso]

Opened up reflex steering and brackets yesterday and found they add put the wrong nut on one end of the stabalizer at the factory wouldn't tighten wrong thread on it had to go buy another fine thread nut they had standard thread the nylon or plastic tip was holding it on

[Sagecoachdriver]

Boso, are you going to winterize right after installing the reflex and keep us in suspense? From your posts, I gather you are in SC or maybe NC.

[vwexpert]

I just took my coach out for a little road test after alignment / Bilstein Shocks (front comfort - rear HD) / Bilstein steering damper / and remote control 7200 adjustable air bag setup. 0 wind - drove excellent at 65 mph on country road - made little difference with 40lbs in rear air bags or 80lbs. The ride is still plush. Full of gas and water - ready for Monterey next weekend. We'll see how it goes over Pacheco Pass...there is one section that really likes to make RV's change lanes.

[Boso]

No I'm going to put it on the road and try it out after the reflex is installed and no I'm in nc but it's only about 70 miles to myrtle beach campground and there's a Hwy on the way that has always got cross winds blowing so I will no pretty soon and like I said mine is two finger driving now unless the wind is blowing hard and I am driving 70 mph and that's how I travel mostly when I can

[Total Loss]

Chevy 4500.
Reflex and front Bilsteins are on.
About 2 hrs for everything. (on the RV side yard driveway)
Still waiting for a road test since the rig is covered in the side yard.
While the Chevy shocks did not seem "bad"...the Bilsteins felt better on the bench test.

[Sagecoachdriver]

VWexpert, I hear the driver's side upper front shock can be quite a problem. Some just cut off the bolt with a sawzall. Passenger side is supposed to be easy.

[Brian217]

Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver

VWexpert, I hear the driver's side upper front shock can be quite a problem. Some just cut off the bolt with a sawzall. Passenger side is supposed to be easy.

I can verify that the drivers side front is the most difficult to get to on the E-450. Very little space to get into. One of my problems starting out was that I thought the nut on the new Bilstein would be the same size as the oem. The oem was much larger size, but trying to get it in there without being able to see took awhile to figure out. If you can do the drivers side front, the rest are a piece of cake!

[Boso]

Hey Sage got reflex on this afternoon took me 1.5 hrs but had to reverse u bolt bracket wasn't enough room on tie rod to do it the way that instructions show but it's on with room to move the large radiator hose is about 3/8" away will try it tomorrow and adjust if I have to in order to get it aligned

[Boso]

wana65stang my air bags have held 94and 97psi for a week now have not leaked cameras seem to be working I hope they continue maybe I'm finally there 15 months 6500 miles

[Sagecoachdriver]

Ordered Bilstein shocks online and had local tire shop install them. Took 2 1/2 hours for $50. Mechanic had done 100's of shock replacements. Kept going for different wrenches. Hope it's tight!
Alignment tech says bushings were not changed to adjustable and warranty alignment was made worse not better. Tire shop alignment rack is too short for my 202" WB.
Calling the suspension shop that did the warranty work tomorrow, within their 90 day warranty period. Going to insist on them adjusting close to the specs found here on the forum. My Forester needs way to much correction to stay in a lane.

[vwexpert]

It's a lot easier to install ft shocks with this ratchet and socket combination.

[wana65stang]

Originally Posted by Boso

wana65stang my air bags have held 94and 97psi for a week now have not leaked cameras seem to be working I hope they continue maybe I'm finally there 15 months 6500 miles

Thats good to hear , but now I can't razz you about getting them fixed